Pakistan has once again been elected a member of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the next two years, Radio Pakistan reported on Thursday.

Pakistan has been elected 19 times to the board in the past and has played a crucial part in the formulation of the agency's policies and programmes.

Of the agency's 170 member countries, the board consists of 35 members out of which 11 are elected to the IAEA's board of governors every two years.

A Pakistani delegation led by Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem attended the IAEA's meeting in Vienna, Austria where the election was held.

Being elected a member of the IAEA's board of governors is a major diplomatic achievement for Pakistan. The election represents global recognition of the country's status as a responsible nuclear power state.

The IAEA is an international organisation that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.

With its headquarters in Vienna, the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

Pakistan is a founding member of the IAEA and has enjoyed a mutually beneficial collaboration with the agency on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

According to a Foreign Office press release, scientists and engineers from Pakistan have contributed to the agency's work in various fields, including in the area of nuclear safety and security.   

Pakistan has also hosted various IAEA sponsored events for national as well as regional capacity building for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.